Connection Voucher Scheme News

More than 400 businesses in Leeds and Bradford have been awarded vouchers worth over £800,000 to pay for hardware and internet connectivity installation costs since the Government’s Superconnected Cities programme was launched in February.

The two cities have seen more connections than any outside London, beating Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester as well as sixteen others that are also part of the Superconnected Cities programme, which funds businesses to help them maximise their potential with faster web infrastructure.

“The offer of up to £3000 of funding to improve your business is a compelling one, and we have seen over 90% of completed applications succeed in attracting awards of an average of £2200 for IT hardware to enable connections to superfast services,” said Phil Cole, Leeds City Council’s head of business support.

SME businesses based in Leeds and Bradford postcodes are eligible, need only complete a simple online application form taking less than ten minutes at www.SuperconnectedLeedsBradford.co.uk, and can receive grants of up to £3000 to cover the cost of upgrading to a superfast broadband connection.

“The improvements in productivity, reliability of access, and the new applications and technologies that can only be used with superfast connectivity, make it a no-brainer for businesses that want to compete with the best in the UK and further afield,” says Mr Cole.

“Ordinarily applicants hear within 24 hours if their application is successful, and nine out of ten completed applications receives a grant to cover all the technical work needed to equip their business for the fastest available internet access.”

Another 1200 plus businesses in Leeds and Bradford have partially completed the application process and they are being urged to take advantage of this time-limited offer.

Applicants pay any VAT on the equipment and installation, but can reclaim this as with any other business expense.

“It is great to know that savvy Yorkshire SMEs are getting all the value they can from a Government scheme that is only open until April next year, and we hope to see a great many more businesses apply for the vouchers over the remaining months of the programme,” adds Mr Cole.